Our msision

Ashdown Forest is a jewel in the crown of the Sussex landscape for our and future generations. Ashdown Forest is treasured by local, regional, and international communities for its extraordinary nature and culture. It is a cornerstone of a bigger, better, and more interconnected landscape. It is a place where people understand and enjoy the natural environment around them, and where wildlife and people thrive together. 

Our vision 

To protect, conserve and enhance the nature and culture of Ashdown Forest as the largest biodiverse heathland and open space in Sussex for the enjoyment, education, health and recreation of all.

Our strategic aims

Ashdown Forest is an internationally recognised site for protecting rare and threatened species and heathland habitats and, just by existing, helps provide clean air and water whilst reducing flood risk.  

Our strategic priorities and their outcomes

Our three strategic aims will guide us in the actions we undertake to deliver outcomes and positive changes in the future for Ashdown Forest. These will be designed under five priorities. 

1. A beautiful and diverse place sustaining an internationally, nationally and locally important mosaic of wildlife habitats and cultural landscapes.

2. A welcoming destination for all. 

3. An inspiring space benefiting peoples’ health, and providing opportunities for education, recreation and enjoyment.  

4. Lying at the heart of a partnership extending and connecting land for conservation and amenity 

5. A resilient and open organisation, where challenges are embraced, and opportunities explored.

As part of Priority 5, we are aiming to deliver a funded plan for assessing Ashdown Forest’s carbon sequestration and emissions and demonstrating climate positive operations by 2027.